Youth engagement enhances trauma-informed care in paediatrics, says new report

Although research shows that consulting with youth improves the delivery of health care, adolescent perspectives are often absent from medical literature. A new report aims to change that by highlighting the ideas and recommendations from diverse youth across Canada who participated in a national consultation about trauma-informed care.

Published in January by the Canadian Paediatric Society, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and the Compass Lab (Unity Health Toronto), the report provides practical advice for health practitioners and institutions about how to deliver safe, trauma-informed care to youth.

The project team that produced Youth perspectives on trauma-informed health care also included a five-member Youth Advisory Council that guided the consultation process.

“We know there are significant health impacts from trauma. We also know that youth with significant exposure to traumatic experiences have more barriers to health care access. It is essential that youth are involved in helping identify approaches to care that are relational, strengths-based, and as comfortable as possible,” said Dr. Matthew Carwana, project co-principal investigator and a paediatrician at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.

During a series of consultations held across Canada, youth spoke openly, bringing a diversity of experience and perspectives. Their guidance is reflected in six key messages that define the fundamental characteristics of safe, trauma-informed care from their perspective:

·       Safe care is provided in spaces that look and feel youth-friendly, accessible, and protective of privacy.

·       Trauma-informed health visits centre the health concerns of youth rather than the agendas of providers, parents, or caregivers.

·       Building a trusting relationship between patient and provider creates a safer care environment for youth.

·       Address sensitive health issues in a clear and confidential manner.

·       Carefully consider how health trainees are involved in appointments.

·       Provide a clear follow up plan after a health visit, and support and assist youth success in meeting health goals.

Participants also collectively identified 19 practical recommendations to help health care providers deliver safe, trauma-informed visits with youth.

“These recommendations are practical and achievable, and are based on real experiences of feeling rushed, unheard, and vulnerable in health care settings. Youth do not expect health care providers to be perfect, but as experts in their own lives, they do want to have a say in their care. Youth told us that they are rarely asked for their perspectives, but when they are, they have valuable things to say,” said Damilola Mabadeje, Lead Youth Researcher and co-principal investigator of the project.

The consultations were completed between 2024 and 2025. The report also includes the results of a 2023 scoping review and provides guidance for developing a similar consultation process elsewhere.

“This report is meant to be used by anyone who works with children or youth. Every single one of us can provide trauma informed care to our patients, our families and ourselves. Our patients – the young people and their families we work with – know what safety looks and feels like to them.  All we have to do is listen,” said Dr. Shazeen Suleman, co-principal investigator and a paediatrician at BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute.

This report was authored by Damilola Mabadeje, Dr. Matthew Carwana, Dr. Shazeen Suleman, and Dr. Sara Jassemi at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, and Dr. Yasmine Ratnani, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Université de Montréal.

Project funding was provided through a grant from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Public Health Agency of Canada.